White Center Now: The blog about White Center

25-year-old Cu Van Truong will be in court on January 12th to answer a charge of first-degree murder. That charge was announced this afternoon by the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, which says Truong shot and killed 24-year-old Jason Saechao at Seattle Roll Bakery in the 9800 block of 16th SW early Wednesday. Truong remains in jail, with bail set at $1 million. We’re reviewing court documents now for additional details beyond what was contained in the “probable cause” documents, summarized in our report yesterday following the bail-setting hearing, and will add whatever we find.

ADDED 2:29 PM: New details – Investigators say three people were there, besides the suspect and victim. The charging documents detail the story that investigators were originally told about the shooting happening in the course of a robbery. One of the witnesses said that Saechao “had been badmouthing Cu around town and that Saechao said he wanted to apologize to him for doing that. (She) said she went to the bakery with Saechao and that (another witness) was already there working. She said Cu called her and she put Saechao on the phone so he could apologize. She said Cu arrived at the bakery and that Saechao and Cu went outside and argued. She said they came in and that Cu shot Saechao. She said she initially lied about the shooting because before Cu left the bakery after the shooting, he threatened to harm anyone who said anything.”

The documents go on to say that the other witness “was called back to the scene” and re-interviewed after being told the new story about what happened. At that time, he changed his story and said it had to do with a relationship between him and the aforementioned female witness, who he had been dating while Saechao was in jail. The argument, this witness said, started with a necklace that his mother was paying for but that he said Saechao took from “as payback for being with (the female witness),” according to the court documents. When Truong showed up the morning of the shooting, documents say, he “told Saechao to ‘Give his little homie back his necklace’,” at which time the male witness reportedly told Truong to stay out of his business.

As Truong and Saechao continued to argue, prosecutors say, “Truong turned and pulled a handgun from his waistband and began shooting at Saechao. (The male witness) said it looked like Truong shot Saechao first in the leg and that he walked to the side of Saechao and shot him several more times and finally in the head.” (Court documents say the autopsy showed Saechao was shot four times.)

After detailing how the witnesses decided to make up the robbery story because Truong threatened them, the male and female witnesses told investigators that Truong had left the bakery in a ’90s 500-series white BMW.

Detectives found that car at Truong’s sister’s house, which was put under surveillance, and when three people got into it and left, it was stopped, and Truong was arrested.

Subsequently interviewed by detectives, he denied being at the bakery that morning, denied shooting Saechao, and said he doesn’t carry guns. His sister, though, said she had seen him with one about a month ago. She also said she got a phone call from one of the witnesses at 7 am that morning saying that Truong had killed Saechao. At that point, the sister said, she called her brother, who said he was in the High Point area (where he lives) and asked her to pick him up, but she said she never asked him about what the female witness had told her in the earlier call.

Truong’s record is described in court documents as three robbery convictions in 2006, a conviction for false reporting in 2006, one for residential burglary in 2003, and one for taking a motor vehicle in 2003.

Since the court documents mentioned the victim having been in jail, ostensibly recently, we checked on that: King County Jail online records show he was there for about a month, released on December 22nd, and had three other month-long stays in KCJ earlier in the year, mostly on drug charges.

4:17 PM: Just in from the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office – after a hearing this afternoon in Kent, bail is set at $1 million for the 25-year-old West Seattle man who is jailed in connection with yesterday morning’s deadly shooting of 24-year-old Jason Saechao at Seattle Roll Bakery in White Center. We aren’t identifying the suspect until and unless charges are filed; tomorrow is the deadline for the KCPAO to either file charges or let him go. We’ll be adding more information shortly from the court documents that we’ve also received in connection with the case.

ADDED 4:36 PM: The summary from those documents – which, we’ll warn you, gets somewhat graphic: Read the rest of this entry »

1:10 PM: Just in from the King County Sheriff’s Office:

The homicide that occurred at a Seattle bakery in the 9800 block of 16 Ave SW just after midnight was the result of a dispute that had occurred earlier in the week and was not a robbery as initially reported.

An employee of the bakery had a dispute with the victim earlier in the week. Last night the employee, the victim and several other people were at the bakery. The suspect, who is known to both the victim and the employee, went to the bakery and confronted the victim about the earlier dispute. During the argument, the suspect pulled out a handgun and shot the victim multiple times. The victim was pronounced dead at the scene.

Witnesses initially told the police it was a robbery because they feared the suspect would come back and retaliate.

The suspect was arrested at approximately 0930 this morning in the area of SW 116 and 1 Ave SW.

King County Jail online records show a man booked less than an hour ago for investigation of homicide. We’re checking into his background. Sgt. West says the man arrested in this case is 25 years old.

ADDED 3:02 PM: According to a note shared with WCN, White Center merchants have banded together to buy flowers and make a sign of support for the Seattle Roll Bakery family, who had to get right back to work because wholesale customers are counting on their bread.

ADDED 4:13 PM: The homicide suspect booked earlier was from a different case; the suspect in this one was booked into jail about an hour ago. Online records indicate he has some criminal background, including juvenile cases; so far we’ve found auto-theft- and burglary-related charges. The King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office says he will have a bail hearing on Thursday.

ADDED 6:11 PM: The King County Medical Examiner identifies the victim as 24-year-old Jason Saechao, and says he died of multiple gunshot wounds.

Outside Jimenez Signs in White Center, a new sign this afternoon – asking for help in protecting WC, following this morning’s deadly shooting across the street at Seattle Roll Bakery. Carlos Jimenez, a longtime community leader and entrepreneur, has campaigned against violence before, and says it is time to make a stand again.

12:21 AM: According to scanner information, there’s been a shooting in the 9800 block of 16th SW in White Center, one person described as having been shot in the head. The King County Sheriff’s Office is asking for Seattle Police help in the search for a man in a black mask armed with a 9 millimeter gun, last seen headed north on 16th SW (toward West Seattle). That’s all we know so far.

12:40 AM: We have a crew headed to the scene, and Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Sgt. Cindi West has announced via Twitter that she is going there too.

1:49 AM: KCSO Sgt. West confirms that the victim, a man in his 20s, was killed. The shooting apparently happened during the robbery of an open-all-night business she described as a sandwich shop (listings for the address, 9828 16th SW, are for Seattle Roll Bakery, known for its banh mi sandwiches), and she says the victim was one of at least three employees in the shop at the time.

5:05 AM: TV stations are live in downtown WC for their morning newscasts. So far, no new information beyond what we had reported as of three hours ago. Sgt. West promised an update later this morning when she gets new information from detectives, who are still on the scene right now.

NOON: No new official information from KCSO; Sgt. West sent an update basically saying she’s still working with detectives to see what can be made public.

(EDITOR’S NOTE: Earlier this month, a special event at The Barrel in Top Hat brought a holiday-season boost to the White Center Food Bank. We didn’t know about it ahead of time, or would have covered it – but out of nowhere, we received this story telling the heartwarming tale. Thanks, Joe – and everybody who made the event happen.)

Story and visuals by Joe Heisler
Special to White Center Now

There was no mention of the White Center Food Bank in The Seattle Times‘ recent report on hardships and headwinds facing small nonprofits though they lost $50K in government funding this year, a perfect case-in-point for the newly released Nonprofit Research Collaborative findings.

The cuts come as community needs increase, but the volunteer-driven organization is responding to challenges with extended hours and expanded services. The Baby Pantry is just one example and one recent day, a dozen children were among those lined up outside, braving the cold and waiting for doors to open at 1 p.m. Volunteers readied provisions and took stations inside. With only two paid staffers, the WCFB coordinates 20,000 volunteer-hours to serve more than 60,000 people a year.

“You have to understand,” said Executive Director Rick Jump, “Our average donation is $25, maybe $50, and we do have generous donors who give $50 every month. So when Irish came in (one recent) morning with $4,100, we were just blown away.”

That’s Irish McKinney, a charismatic barrel-chested mountain of a man, full white beard prominent, with a commanding voice and easy smile –– his better-half’s patch says “my old man is one bad apple.”

Marjorie and Irish keep four motorcycles, including the vintage ‘59 Panhead Harley he bought fresh out of the Army in Minneapolis (1974), and “rode back to Seattle by way of Dallas.” He knew the biker clubs of the time, but took a detour for school and a year as a VISTA volunteer. Irish earned his degree from the University of Puget Sound in 1980 as a business major.

As a pro sound tech, Irish found a path that led to work with Arlo Guthrie, Leo Kottke, David Crosby, Ann and Nancy Wilson, Jerry Miller of Moby Grape, Mudhoney, Alice in Chains, and The Presidents of the United States of America, among others.

Of his time at the bygone Backstage in Ballard, Irish recalled, “It was a third-line venue that booked a lot of acts either on their way up or on their way down.”

There were many great encounters, but after ten years the crowd seemed to be getting younger, so Irish shifted gears again, and as a top-producing Enrolled Agent for a regional H&R Block office, stayed for thirteen years before opening his own successful practice, Top Hat Taxes. “They took a chance on me,” he said, reflecting with a smile, “I’ve looked like this for a long time.”

Along the way, the Apple Dumpling Gang (ADG), a regional motorcycle club, proved to be a great fit for Irish. Predominantly veterans with a strong sense of community and belonging like a lot of other clubs, but “they put work and family first,” he said. “And that made the difference.”

Meeting friends at The Barrel Tavern on Friday evenings (fried chicken special) became a tradition for Irish and Marjorie through the years, and one that continues today –– pulling tables together to accommodate all, and making a night of it. In 2008 they made a wonderful Christmas party of it for legions of friends.

Sensing an opportunity to leverage the good feeling, they decided to underwrite a holiday party to help feed people in need. So with Top Hat Taxes as sponsor, and partners in The Barrel Tavern and Rat City ABATE (national motorcycle legislative awareness/activist organization A Brotherhood Against Totalitarian Enactments) to host and post the event respectively, Chicken Friday Christmas was born.

Marjorie reports that the first ‘official’ Chicken Friday Christmas in 2009 brought in $1,300 for charity. The net reached $2,000 in 2010. But this year was extraordinary.

On party night The Barrel sparkled. Vincente’s team tended the gorgeous buffet throughout the night and the food was incredible. Diners filled long, elegant banquet tables and volunteers sold raffle tickets in the aisles. It was standing-room-only before long. From a festooned head table facing the room, Irish gestured or said something that hushed the boisterous crowd at once.

He introduced a ‘brother,’ as bikers tend to regard and call each other, who delivered a heartfelt benediction to bowed heads nodding in agreement, followed by polite applause.

Taking the microphone, Irish continued with recognition for troops returning from Iraq and gratitude for their service punctuated by long moments of silence and reflection for the fallen. This was the weekend troops were coming home en masse –– and the gravity of sentiment of Vietnam-era veterans who faced a much different homecoming was lost on no one.

“Let’s feed some people!,” Irish’s booming baritone filled the room, without the mic this time, and to greater effect. “What are we doing?,” he bellowed, and the crowd responded in unison, “Feeding People!”

Next up was the amazing Orville Johnson to play a few sets of acoustic blues freeing Irish to work the room –– he was on all night and the crowd was with him all the way, even when he doubled-down and took to reciting holiday poems. It was an amazing production, lots going on and no lulls in the action.

And as the Third Annual Chicken Friday Christmas gave way to Saturday morning, all left happy and entertained, feeling good for doing good.

“Please just say how grateful we are, how truly grateful.” The food bank director’s refrain hung in the air as he searched for words –– he was speaking for a lot of great volunteers who work very hard every day. And for those in need, on their urgent behalf, he was speaking for them.

But Irish never was in it for recognition. He agreed to talk, but largely to thank a lot of people for the hard work and support that made it successful. “Dana and Deanna (sisters, proprietors of The Barrel) are incredible. They sold ribbons all month and exceeded all expectations. They were not passive, they made it happen.”

When he stopped by The Barrel early Saturday morning it wasn’t for congratulations, just some help to deliver two truck loads of brand-new toys to Childhaven in Burien. “And it took everything I had to get there.” But that’s another story.

He’s not a proud man, but a lot of people are very proud of him. And so it goes –– sometimes the good guys wear black…

Joe first sent this to us in a creatively laid-out PDF. We couldn’t reproduce that on a web page, but you can click here to download and see his original creation.

Since Endolyne Joe’s is one of the southernmost restaurants in West Seattle, it’s not far from White Center if you’d like to venture that way for this event supporting the WC Food Bank (which serves not only WC and environs but also part of WS. Just announced this morning:

Endolyne Joe’s in West Seattle along with Sozo Wines announce their first Winemaker’s Dinner on January 14, 2012 at 7 pm. Space limited to first 20 reservations; $60 per person. This five course meal will feature Endolyne Joe’s New England-themed winter menu paired with wines from Sozo Wines‘ collection. In addition to a fabulous meal, paired wines will be available for purchase to benefit the White Center Food Bank. Representatives from Sozo will be at the dinner to introduce each wine; current varieties include Compassion Cabernet, Bountiful Bordeaux and Humanity Riesling.

From the Sozo Wines website, “The goal of Sozo is to produce and deliver artisan crafted wine and gourmet food for our friends to enjoy and at the same time feed a substantial number of people who live in poverty.” Each bottle of Sozo Wine (now available at Endoyne Joe’s as part of their regular wine list) has a medallion which indicates how many meals are provided with the purchase of the bottle. Bottles sold at Endolyne Joe’s benefit White Center Food Bank on an ongoing basis as well as those sold the evening of the Winemaker’s Dinner.

Part of Sozo’s goal is to build community around pressing issues such as hunger; Endolyne Joe’s is a hub of the Fauntleroy community while White Center Food Bank serves the hungry in our community. The Winemaker’s Dinner brings together these elements of community – working together on one of our community’s ongoing needs.

For reservations, contact Endolyne Joe’s at 206–937-5637.

11:47 AM: We’ve been tracking the suddenly gusty wind for about an hour – and according to the Seattle City Light map, more than 6,000 homes/businesses are now without power in a stretch from south/east White Center into parts of Shorewood and Burien. The National Weather Service has not issued an advisory, though winds in some areas have gusted past 40 mph.

By Tracy Record
White Center Now editor

The week before Christmas is usually low on public meetings, but the North Highline Fire District Board of Commissioners had some hot topics to discuss tonight, in a meeting that lasted just under an hour:

BURIEN ANNEXATION: The board voted to authorize a letter supporting the “Area Y” annexation that Burien is pursuing. The main impacts, if annexation is approved, the board was told, involves the areas that it covers now but are not included in the annexation, such as the “sliver by the river.” So as a result, they would ask for agreements ensuring that those areas would still have fire protection after the annexation, regardless of their governance status. The letter of support “has to be filed tomorrow,” they were told. Commissioner Liz Giba, elected to the board last month, said she’d like to see it more focused on support for the annexation than on concerns – and offered a cover letter she drafted, “which talks about why this is a good thing,” before it’s sent to the Boundary Review Board, which considers the annexation proposal on January 9th. The letter was the result of a decision to write a letter showing support, while also noting concerns. Discussion between Giba and Commissioner Ray Austin focused on whether it was OK as written by the board’s lawyer – six pages. “I just want it to be clear that this is a letter of support,” Giba said. In the vote, most of her “cover letter” was approved for incorporating into the documentation they would turn in. They also decided that Giba will speak briefly on the commission’s behalf at the January 9th hearing.

SEATTLE ANNEXATION: Commissioner Wayne Alishokis says he met with reps from the Seattle Mayor and Council to talk about the “sliver on the river” annexation. He says they told him the council is fully in favor of it while the mayor is neutral, so they are hoping to move it ahead next year, and to have that annexation completed by January 2013 via the “interlocal agreement” process that wouldn’t require going before the Boundary Review Board. The only complication – not expected to cause a problem, though – is the maintenance agreement involving the now-under-construction South Park Bridge. (He also made it clear he met with them as “an individual,” not as an official representative of the NHFD board.) “Sounds like tremendous progress,” remarked Commissioner Giba.

CONTRACT RATIFIED: The board voted to ratify a new contract with IAFF Local 1810.

CHIEF’S REPORT: 2 firefighters are off on injury, Chief Marrs commented. He also talked about participating in recent multiple-department training/testing exercises, one at the Burien Park & Ride simulating a multiple-casualty incident (shooting), as well as a recent haz-mat training exercise (simulating a tanker truck hitting a jersey barrier and splitting open). He briefed the board on an ongoing situation over sprinkler/fire-lane access concerns at Seola Gardens, which he says is trying to “get some variances or do something different,” with a County Appeals Board meeting being the latest development. The disagreement with the King County Housing Authority apparently includes their contention that someone was allegedly given a verbal agreement in the past saying the development didn’t need sprinklers, with which NHFD disagrees.

PUBLIC COMMENT: In this period at the start of the meeting, Pat Price asked if there were any updates from the committee to spend the inheritance. Chief Marrs says it’s “on (his) list of things to do” after the first of the year and they’ll figure out where things stand. Gill Loring expressed appreciation for the meeting being held at night – previously many meetings were on weekday mornings – and wished everyone “Happy Holidays.”

BOARD COMMENT: Giba thanked everyone in attendance and expressed hopes they will come to more meetings, with the scheduling change.

SPEAKING OF SCHEDULING: The board decided to meet on the third Monday of the month – most months – but has to choose an alternate date for next month’s meeting, since that will be a holiday (King Day).

King County Sheriff’s Deputies are seeking three male suspects in what spokesperson Sgt. Cindi West describes as “a shoplift that turned into a robbery” last night. She says the three went into the state Liquor Store in the 9800 block of 15th SW, and then: “The clerk saw one of the suspects grab two bottles of liquor and exit the store. The clerk gave chase and caught up to the suspects on 14 Ave SW. A fight ensued and one of the suspects struck the clerk in the head with one of the bottles, knocking him down. One of the suspects implied a firearm but it was never seen. … Only descriptions right now are 2 white males and a black male. The black male had a black puffy coat, and black football jersey with #82.”

A request we were asked to share with you, from Andrew McCarty:

I am wanting to find out if anyone locally has any information regarding what happened to the old skate boot sign that was on the top of the Southgate Roller Rink. (originally called the Southgate Rollerdrome back in the day)

Obviously the sign disappeared at some point, and the current owners do not know where. I’d love to get any information regarding its whereabouts or even some better pictures of the sign as I am trying to organize a group to either find the original and restore it, or craft a new one. It looks like from pictures that I’ve seen, that it had neon lighting, but because the photos are so grainy and in black and white, it would help to have better quality photos if we decide to craft ourselves a new one.

Any help would be great! Please e-mail dr.andros@comcast.net with any information.

Thank you very much!

Lois Baldwin lived a life of education – given and received – as well as creativity and adventure, as detailed in this remembrance shared by her niece, Vicki Burr-Chellin:

Lois Elaine Baldwin, former English teacher and guidance counselor at Evergreen High School from 1955-1976, died peacefully on December 11, 2011 in West Seattle.

Miss Baldwin was born on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 25, 1920 in Winlock, WA to Lee Ernest Baldwin and Yola Barrett Baldwin, both from pioneer families. (She claimed to love pumpkin pie because her mother had been eating pie on the day she was born.) The Baldwins moved to Oregon. where their father owned timber and operated a sawmill and their mother was a career public-school teacher, and they raised 4 children.

Miss Baldwin graduated high school in Cottage Grove, OR; she received her BA in Education from the University of Oregon, Eugene, OR (1944); and her MA in Education (English Literature) from the Colorado State College of Education at Greeley, CO (1955). She was a published poet and a student and teacher of Shakespeare. Her published poem in Poems of the Beaver State 1948, A Thanksgiving Prayer follows:

God
Grant that there be
Quietness
Within my soul,
I pray –
Calm, cool strength that
Lends a peace
To this – Thanksgiving Day.

And – then – dear Lord,
Let there be
Love
And with it
Faith to know
That by this quality we live
And by this Truth
We grow.

Read the rest of this entry »

The flyer says it all, in two languages: South Park invites you to a Christmas party on 14th tonight, 4-10 pm, sponsored by its business community!

(Aileen Balahadia, 2nd from left at Unity Village groundbreaking, WCN photo from Sept. 2010)
Just received from the White Center Community Development Association:

The Board of Directors of the White Center Community Development Association (CDA) today announced that the CDA Executive Director, Aileen Balahadia, plans to leave her position next spring. Ms. Balahadia has served as the organization’s Executive Director since January 2004.

“Under Aileen’s leadership the White Center CDA embraced a completely new model of comprehensive community development. Over the last eight years, she helped to grow the CDA from 1.5 FTE to a professional staff of 11.5 FTE and a $ 1.5m annual budget,” said Heather Downey, Board President and Burien resident. “White Center is a stronger, healthier community because of Aileen’s leadership.”

Accomplishments under Balahadia’s tenure include the successful management of a multi-million dollar Making Connections comprehensive community change initiative of the Annie E Casey Foundation, the launch of an emerging White Center Promise neighborhoods campaign, the opening of the 30-unit Unity Village affordable housing project, and the stewardship of core CDA programs like Family Connections and neighborhood business district revitalization.

“I have great mixed emotions as I announce my resignation from an organization that has been my heart and soul for the last eight years. The White Center CDA is now in a great place to move to a different level- it’s much bigger than any one person now. We are rooted locally, but on the cusp of being known nationally for its innovation,” said Ms. Balahadia. She added, “I’m also excited to take some time off from executive leadership to recharge and refresh. And it always feels good to leave on a high note, especially when our organization and our budget are in a healthy place.”

Board member and White Center resident Pat Thompson applauds Ms. Balahadia’s creative approach to community building and the organization’s values of resident leadership and authentic partnership. “Aileen’s legacy is that today White Center has its own voice. The results speak daily for themselves through our neighborhood improvements, better academic achievement scores, a Community Summit attended by 400 people each year, and partnership projects with Southwest Youth and Family Services, Highline Public Schools, Impact Capital/Seattle Office of Economic Development, Port Jobs, White Center Chamber of Commerce, to name a few.”

In preparation for this change, the Board has commenced plans for the executive transition and hire of the CDA’s next leader. Ms. Balahadia’s last day will be on March 31, 2012.

The Board has adopted an aggressive timeline to find the next Executive Director for the CDA. Board Secretary and Burien resident Karen Veloria says, “We are moving quickly to assure a quality leadership transition. We plan to find a new leader to coincide with Aileen’s last month at the CDA.” The CDA has retained the services of Watanabe Consultation to assist in the recruitment search and hiring process for the CDA Board of Directors.

Just announced by Café Rozella proprietor Leticia:

Join us for an evening of holiday treats, local art and jewelry for sale. Shop local while you enjoy live music by Annie O’Neill and The Watchmen. Saturday, December 17th at Café Rozella, 6-9 pm, 9434 Delridge Way SW.

That’s just a few storefronts away from the White Center Christmas Tree – see you there.

Received this note that might be of interest to you, since White Center is mentioned prominently:

The Seattle Foundation recently announced new neighbor to neighbor funding for South Seattle, White Center and Kent communities. To qualify for the N2N Small Grants Program, an applicant must:

· be a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit organization, or be fiscally sponsored by one;

· have a small budget (generally under $100,000);

· have a presence in South Seattle(South Seattle is defined as areas south of Interstate 90, west of Lake Washington, and north of Seattle’s southern border) White Center or Kent, and engage diverse, low-income community members to address disparities in these neighborhoods. South Seattle is defined as areas south of Interstate 90, west of Lake Washington, and north of Seattle’s southern border. White Center is defined as the unincorporated area between the cities of Burien and Seattle.

More details here.

Why did Santa cross the road? To get to the 2nd annual White Center tree-lighting ceremony! Here’s the end of the multilingual countdown, as the lights go on around Veterans’ Triangle Park at 16th/Roxbury:

It was just last year that a longrunning effort to get power to the mini-park finally succeeded in time for the first tree-lighting ceremony (as reported here last December). This year’s tree arrived on Friday (here’s our coverae of its arrival). Tonight, it was all about holiday cheer, with an extra meaning to that word, as Evergreen High School cheerleaders distributed candy canes:

And of course, there was caroling:

As we headed out of sight, you could almost hear, “Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good Sunday night!”

Need some minor repairs to get your bike ready to hit the road again? Tomorrow (Sunday, Dec. 11th) afternoon is your next chance to get the help of volunteers for free. 2-4 pm at Full Tilt Ice Cream – full details on the Sustainable West Seattle website. (Then an hour later, it’s the WC Tree Lighting! Perfect doubleheader. Followed by dinner at a WC eatery.)

About an hour ago, White Center business-community leaders and other helpers put up the official White Center Christmas Tree, the second year for a tree to be displayed in the Delridge Triangle mini-park.

Lighting is set for 5 pm Sunday, everybody welcome – Santa and carolers will be on hand, we’re told. Here’s the video (wait for the cheering!) as the tree goes up.

Though White Center has a new “storefront deputy” now, Deputy B.J. Myers‘ popular predecessor Deputy Jeff Hancock returned to a hero’s welcome today. Literally! The occasion: The White Center Chamber of Commerce‘s Heroes Luncheon.

Deputy Hancock was one of the three heroes celebrated. Turns out he is actually working again in White Center – responding to emergency calls. Presenting the award, Frank Cantwell of Holy Family School recalled a ridealong with Deputy Hancock, who he said is known and respected by everyone in WC, as well as teamwork when HF put on its first street fair.

Another former member of the King County Sheriff’s Office White Center Storefront staff also was honored, Community Service Officer Vary Jackson. Chamber president Mark Ufkes called her the closest thing White Center had to a mayor during her 16 years of working there. He recalled her “endless advocacy,” which resulted in additions such as storefront planters. She wasn’t at the luncheon, but we took this photo of her with the planters in May of last year:

The third award went to county corrections workers who supervise defendants doing community service rather than spending time behind bars.

As King County Councilmember Joe McDermott explained, these crews come to White Center frequently for cleanup work and are supervised by Selina Daniels, who McDermott said spends five days a week working with a different crew each day. (With Daniels, McDermott, and Ufkes in our photo are Nate Caldwell, her supervisor, and Nick Masla, also from Corrections.)

Also at the luncheon, WestSide Baby executive director Nancy Woodland spoke about community efforts to address the problem of homeless/chronic alcoholic people.

The group that’s been convening to take this on, she said, has moved from trying to figure out how to get them sent somewhere else, to instead, considering engaging them as part of the community. The group meets again Tuesday, and Ufkes says it will be working on specific ideas for what to do next.

More business-district activities were updated by Aileen Sison, including this Saturday’s White Center Christmas Tree Lighting (5 pm Sunday at 16th/Roxbury, same place as last year). In the wake of all the attention given to the recent “Center of Attention” and DEA medical-marijuana raids, Ufkes said, this event should bring positive attention to WC and bring families out to visit, maybe even stick around for dinner.